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April 1, 2001
Planning a Party
By VaReane Heese
Children enjoy planning a party. Now they can use Internet resources and other technology to plan their event But first students should brainstorm about party particulars such as: where the party will be held, what games guests will play or what the entertainment will be, what party favors will be sent home, what foods will be served, whether or not songs other than the birthday song will be sung, what the invitations will look like, and what some of the presents might be.
You can bookmark Web sites for students to visit in planning their parties. Show them how to use pictures and text to make supplies and planning materials. If your student to computer ratio is not equal, keep everyone busy by letting them work at computers in groups of two or three at most. Those who do not have access to a computer can complete projects on paper. Designs can be created on the computer and printed out to be pasted on plates and napkins or wrapping paper.
The most fun will be sharing everything with classmates; one of the best ways to do this is to have a "walkabout" where teams set up displays and everyone walks by to view all the creations.
Here are some of the important tasks in planning a party:
- Design invitations or thank you notes
- Write original lyrics to a song
- Design a new gift wrap
- Design party favors
- Copy a favorite recipe or invent a new one
- Plan a menu for the party
- Design gift boxes and party hats
- Create place cards and placemats
- List some games to play or invent new ones
- Write riddles and jokes to entertain the guests
- Learn a magic trick to mystify guests
- Make a calendar of their birthday month
- Prepare a list of party supplies
- Make a "to do" list for the day of and the day before the party
The following Web sites can help your students plan and get ready for the party of their dreams.
Kids Domain Craft Exchange
This Web site will provide you with several games and crafts. If you've decided on a particular party theme, you can search the index of craft items. For example, you might like to play Bingo. Kids Domain has several versions of the game available and even cards you can print along with suggestions to vary the game depending on the theme. The "Brainbuilders" section offers online games for different ages, downloadable games, and clipart that you could use for your party decorations. This section is arranged by theme so a visit may help you choose a party theme if you have not already done so. Recipes include some you can eat at a party and some you can use for gifts. Pictures and suggestions accompany each. A few examples are: corn chips, paper napkins, coffee can ice cream, earrings, a picture frame, bubbles, and gak. Computer crafts include posters and cards, magnetic bookmarks, and memo pads, as well as a first aid kit. Gift ideas are plentiful and materials are easy to find. Many of the items can be used for party decorations or favors, too. You will even find suggestions for wrapping handmade gifts.
KinderCrafts
Especially for elementary school children, KinderCrafts contains many crafts arranged by category and accompanied by simple, printable directions. These can be made up ahead of time and used as party favors or decorations, or you could print directions and let guests make their own during the party. Topics or themes include origami, dinosaurs, Native American, and butterflies. A printable box to fold and decorate, as well as masks to print, offer more possibilities.
PartySmart
This site sells paper goods and other party supplies. However, you can use it to help select a party theme because the goods are organized by theme. Then, download graphics or use clipart to make jello-back stickers for your plates, cups, gift wrap, and napkins. Just print graphics and coat the back of the images with a mixture of 1T of hot water and 5 tsp. of jello. Let them dry and cut them out before licking and sticking. Of course, you can use glue instead but the jello mixture taste so much better. The "Idea" section includes tips on how to create a guest list, choose a theme, decide on the amount of paper supplies you will need, and decorate, as well as offers suggestions for games and prizes.
Boardman's Birthday Party Ideas
This is a terrific source for themes, decorations, cake recipes, and games. For instance, the "Archeology Dig" party includes directions for pyramid shaped, 3-D invitations, as well as how to set up a sandbox area with picks and shovels for the "dig". You supply the artifacts: pieces of pottery, arrowheads, etc. Goodie bags filled with arrow heads, rocks, fossils, and a magnifying glass allow guests to investigate their finds. A toilet paper mummy game is sure to be a hit. If you don't find a theme here you like, the site is sure to provide you with plenty of ideas for creating your own theme party.
Card games
This is the place to find the rules for many card games and their variations. An alphabetical index allows you to locate them easily, and directions can be printed. Perhaps you can teach everyone at your party how to play a particular game. Ask family members if they would be willing to practice with you ahead of time.
Gameland
Perhaps you want to include an online game or two for your guests to enjoy. You are sure to find one here you like. Shockwave makes the action and sound capture your attention. You can also choose from several electronic cards to send your friends for any occasion.
Games Kids Play-Oldtime
This is one of my favorite sites because the games require active participation. Many are those our parents and grandparents played before there was such a thing as TV, let alone the computer. Choose one by searching, alphabetically by title, from a list of favorites or by category. The last includes games of strength, chasing and memory games, sensing and sports games, as well as many more. Some examples are hop scotch, marbles, and rhyme games for choosing who is "it". Read the directions and take notes or visit the "printer friendly" part of this Web site to print them off and teach them to your guests.
Sports Games Online
Here you will find a nice selection of arcade-type sports games to play golf, sports theme electronic cards to send (use them as party invitations), links to sports reports for kids, and cartoons you can use to decorate your printed invitations. Your sports-loving guests will enjoy reading the magazine and report sections, or watching the cartoons online, too.
Web Battleship
This is your chance to play the traditional game of Battleship online; pit yourself or your guests against the computer.
Lou Walkers Home page
Jokes, riddles, and tongue twisters can be found at this site and are sure to make your party more fun. Print your favorites on index cards so you won't forget them. Use the same cards for guests to pick out and post to the other guests. Print answers on the back. For added fun, print them on self stick labels and apply the first part to the side of a cup or top of a party plate. Answers get stuck on the bottom. No one will be able to sneak a peek until their snack is gone. Recipes are available for gourmet popcorn, grapefruit squeezies, and peanut butter critters. Also, you can click on (http://loiswalker.com/surfsup/index.html) for songs to sing while as you cook.
Marlo's Cyber Cruiser
This is a one-stop site for email cards. Use them as invitations or thank you notes. Printed directions are available.
Mr. Rogers Neighborhood
Song lyrics are included here for all of the little ones' favorites. Songs can be listened to or printed, depending on your needs.
Family Food Zone
This site contains a nice variety of child parent cooking activities, a food guide, shopping tips, and recipes for fun food like Snakey Subs, Hot Cocoa, and Broccoli Slaw. You can search by preparation time or category. If you want to get everyone involved, try the "Interactive Pizza Recipe" exercise where you create online or in the kitchen.
Creating Music
Interactive musical puzzles and opportunities to draw notes and play music online make this site one you won't want to miss for your party planning. You will need shockwave and a fairly fast Internet connection to access this site, but it will be worth it when you hear your original music online. Let your guests help compose words for your tune or animate cartoons with characters and music, and let everyone take part.
E-mail: VaReane Heese
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